STATEHOUSE – Governor Mike Pence recently signed Senate Bill 509 into law, a bill co-sponsored by State Representative David Ober (R-Albion). Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 509 will provide law enforcement officials with the ability to investigate human trafficking cases of a child less than 18 years old.

“Human trafficking is a global problem, and it is crucial that Indiana continues to take on this issue in an effort to stop criminals from committing these heinous acts,” said Rep. Ober. “Indiana strengthened its human trafficking laws before last year’s Super Bowl as this is an issue we continue to monitor and fight. It was an honor to work on this legislation with other members of the General Assembly and to be part of the state’s ongoing efforts against human trafficking.”

Currently, the law provides that an individual, who knowingly recruits, harbors or transports a child less than 16 years of age with the purpose of engaging the child in forced labor, prostitution, sexual conduct or involuntary servitude commits the promotion of human trafficking of a minor.

SEA 509 will update Indiana’s laws concerning the trafficking of minors to align with most other states and federal law. The legislation will increase the child’s age that authorities can investigate from below 16 years of age to 18.

“According to the FBI, 459 human trafficking cases were opened in the US from 2009 to 2012, so it is imperative that we provide those investigating these cases with every available tool to do so sufficiently,” said Rep. Ober.